he's back on the trail today again in iowa and in virginia and if, if he can close the enthusiasm gap, the democrats may be looking at a sweeter november. plus, sharron angle's habit of denying what she said on tape. we'll listen to the denials and then go to the videotape. love this job. >>> also, i just went spent the entire day here on the irish isle with bill clinton and got a chance to talk to him about america's positive role in the world these days and what a former president can get done. our new nbc news/"the wall street journal" poll ranks him bill clinton, as the most popular political figure in america. clinton faced the democrats' collapse this year. and also why are republicans covering up for bp? duh. and who is denying subpoena power to the president's commission investigating the gulf oil disaster? same response. what's wrong with putting the oil folks under oath? >>> and let me finish tonight with the important lessons the current president can perhaps learn from a former one. all that is ahead. but first, let's check on the latest polls, the "hardball" scoreboard. l